Systems, methods, and devices for automatic signal detection based on power distribution by frequency over time

Abstract

Systems, methods, and devices for automatic signal detection in an RF environment are disclosed. A sensor device in a nodal network comprises at least one RF receiver, a generator engine, and an analyzer engine. The at least one RF receiver measures power levels in the RF environment and generates FFT data based on power level data. The generator engine calculates a power distribution by frequency of the RF environment in real time or near real time, including a first derivative and a second derivative of the FFT data. The analyzer engine creates a baseline based on statistical calculations of the power levels measured in the RF environment for a predetermined period of time, and identifies at least one signal based on the first derivative and the second derivative of the FFT data in at least one conflict situation from comparing live power distribution to the baseline of the RF environment.

The invention claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for signal detection or conflict detection in an electromagnetic environment, comprising:
 an analyzer engine;   a generator engine; and   an event manager;   wherein the generator engine is configured to perform a power bin occurrence (PBO) process and generate PBO data based on measured power levels of at least one signal;   wherein the generator engine is operable to generate second order power bin occurrence (SOPBO) data based on the PBO data;   wherein the analyzer engine is configured to calculate a SOPBO baseline based on the SOPBO data;   wherein the analyzer engine is operable to receive fast Fourier transform (FFT) data;   wherein the analyzer engine is operable to compare the FFT data to at least one baseline to identify at least one conflict;   wherein the event manager is operable to use parameters of the at least one conflict to determine a course of action, wherein the course of action comprises creating an alarm or performing direction finding (DF);   wherein the analyzer engine is operable to create the at least one baseline based on calculations of power levels of the FFT data over a period of time; and   wherein the analyzer engine is configured to detect the at least one signal associated with at least one drone based on the FFT data.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the analyzer engine is configured to generate in-phase and quadrature (I/Q) data based on measured activity in the electromagnetic environment. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the analyzer engine is configured to provide a location of the at least one drone. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one drone is air-borne, land-based, water-borne, and/or submerged. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one signal includes an anomalous signal. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the analyzer engine is configured to use edge processing for the detection of the at least one signal. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a display device configured to display at least one drone interface showing an estimated position of the at least one drone. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a characterization engine configured to provide information for the at least one drone including an operator name, a transmission type of the at least one drone, and a Media Access Control (MAC) address. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the characterization engine is configured to utilize edge processing to classify the at least one drone associated with the at least one signal. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the analyzer engine is configured to detect a signal associated with at least one drone controller in the electromagnetic environment based on the FFT data. 
     
     
         11 . A system for signal detection or conflict detection in an electromagnetic environment, comprising:
 an analyzer engine;   a generator engine; and   an event manager;   wherein the generator engine is configured to perform a power bin occurrence (PBO) process and generate PBO data based on measured power levels of at least one signal;   wherein the generator engine is operable to generate second order power bin occurrence (SOPBO) data based on the PBO data;   wherein the analyzer engine is configured to calculate a SOPBO baseline based on the SOPBO data;   wherein the analyzer engine is operable to receive fast Fourier transform (FFT) data or in-phase and quadrature (I/Q) data;   wherein the analyzer engine is operable to compare the FFT data to at least one baseline to identify at least one conflict;   wherein the event manager is operable to use parameters of the at least one conflict to determine a course of action, wherein the course of action comprises storing the I/Q data or performing direction finding (DF); and   wherein the analyzer engine is configured to detect the at least one signal associated with at least one drone based on a first derivative and a second derivative of the FFT data.   
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , further comprising a characterization engine configured to provide information for the at least one drone including an operator name, a transmission type of the at least one drone, and a Media Access Control (MAC) address. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the analyzer engine is configured to provide a location of the at least one drone. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 11 , further comprising a display device configured to display at least one drone interface showing an estimated position of the at least one drone. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 11 , further comprising a characterization engine configured to provide the DF for the at least one drone. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the characterization engine is configured to utilize edge processing to classify the at least one drone associated with the at least one signal. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the analyzer engine is configured to detect a signal associated with at least one drone controller in the electromagnetic environment. 
     
     
         18 . A method for signal detection or conflict detection in an electromagnetic environment, comprising:
 a generator engine performing a power bin occurrence (PBO) process and generating PBO data based on measured power levels of at least one signal;   the generator engine generating second order power bin occurrence (SOPBO) data based on the PBO data;   an analyzer engine receiving fast Fourier transform (FFT) data or in-phase and quadrature (I/Q) data;   the analyzer engine creating at least one baseline based on calculations of power levels of the FFT data over a period of time;   the analyzer engine calculating a SOPBO baseline based on the SOPBO data;   the analyzer engine comparing the FFT data to the at least one baseline to identify at least one conflict;   an event manager using parameters of the at least one conflict to determine a course of action, wherein the course of action comprises creating an alarm, storing the I/Q data, or performing direction finding (DF); and   detecting the at least one signal associated with at least one drone in the electromagnetic environment based on the FFT data.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the analyzer engine provides a location of the at least one drone. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising a display device displaying at least one drone interface showing an estimated position of the at least one drone relative to a location.